My Top 10 Animated Films

I've seen a lot of blogs with lists and I particularly enjoy those posts. So I've decided to post one of my own. Here are my top ten animated movies of all time (in reverse order).


10. The Incredibles




















9. Beauty and the Beast
























8. Finding Nemo




















7. Kung Fu Panda (Read my review of Kung Fu Panda.)




















6. The Little Mermaid




















5. Aladdin




















4. Shrek





















3. Wall-E (Read my review of Wall-E.)




















2. Mulan



















1. The Lion King

Doubt (2009)

My Rating: A (95/ 100)

The first thought I had, as I watched the opening of Doubt, was how old and wrinkled everyone looked. The make-up was obviously light and the filming felt really raw, almost like you were actually at an old church in the dead of Winter. It added an interesting element to the movie itself and was excellently complemented by a carefully written, witty, and thought provoking script which allowed the complex story take center stage.

While I was impressed with the script and filming, the acting is what I'll remember from this film. Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, giants in the industry, were great; however, I was even more impressed with Amy Adams. Her acting, especially her facial expressions, capture the true tension that encompasses the whole movie. She is brilliant!

Run Time: 104 min
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Gran Torino (2009)

My Rating: A (98/100)

I've never been a fan of Clint Eastwood, especially his acting. However, I came away from "Gran Torino" with a new found respect for Mr. Eastwood and his cinematic genius. His performance is one of the best I've seen in the past few years.

One trait of an excellent film, in my opinion, is realistic and complex characterization. Clint Eastwood, in what he is calling his final performance as an actor, in essence is the movie. By the movie's end you feel as if you know his character, Walt Kowalski, on a profoundly deep level. You can feel his pain and experience his growth.

I can see why Clint Eastwood chose this role to be his final performance. Indeed, he has created a masterpiece of film.

Run Time: 116 min
MPAA Rating: R

Revisiting My Review of "The Happening"

I must admit that after watching M. Knight Shyamalan's "The Happening" for a second time, I noticed that I may have been unfairly harsh on the poor guy. Although I stand by my statement that his script could have been better, especially in the dialogue which came from Mark Wahlberg's character.

However, the movie wasn't a complete disaster and I did see the thought put into a lot of the scenes. I also noticed the challenges Shyamalan faced in getting particular shots. (For example, the scene where the jeep crashes into the tree and ejects two people through the windshield.)

I hope Mr. Shyamalan can deliver a movie of the same caliber of his original masterpiece that was "The Sixth Sense."

Dark Knight (2008)

MY RATING: A

RUN TIME: 152 min

MPAA RATING: PG-13

MY REVIEW:  Dark Knight is the unforgettable, frightening thriller of the year.  Dark, complex and unnerving, this latest Batman movie will make you realize that all those that came before it were just attempts to capture the real essence of darkness that Dark Knight nailed.  

The late Heath Ledger gave a chillingly creepy and brilliant performance.  Ledger gave us that truly demented Joker that Nicholson failed to give us in the 1989 Batman.  Ledger's Joker took over the movie and almost overshadowed Bale's Batman.  I found the suggestion of a bond between the evil criminal and the outcasted hero very complex and thought provoking. I smell Academy Award.  Dark Knight is an unstoppable crime thrilling masterpiece that is sure to become the best of its genre.

I am a big fan of Heath Ledger.  Although this was one of his greatest preformances, its heartbreaking that he's not here to give us more.  

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